Leicester Tigers will give league debuts to five summer signings in Sunday’s Aviva Premiership opener against Bath Rugby at Welford Road.
George Ford makes his first competitive appearance for the club since the 2013 Aviva Premiership Final and is joined in the starting line-up by Jonny May, Nick Malouf, Dominic Ryan and Sione Kalamafoni who will all run out in Tigers colours for the first time.
Another newcomer, fly-half Joe Ford, is named among the replacements.
Manu Tuilagi and Matt Toomua - who makes his Aviva Premiership debut - link up as the centre partnership after recovery from long-term injuries.
Head coach Matt O’Connor said: “We got everything that we wanted into pre-season, and there’s a good vibe in the group and fit bodies, which is important. The character of the group has never been in question and guys have genuinely put up their hands for selection.
“We’re excited by the new players we’ve brought in and having guys like Manu, Matt Toomua and Logo Mulipola back in place is good for us too.”
George McGuigan, Adam Thompstone and Mike Fitzgerald are among the players ruled out by injury this week.
Tickets for Sunday’s game are still available at the Tigers ticket office. Book in person, phone 0116 319 8888 (open 9.00am-5.00pm Monday-Saturday and from 9.00 am matchday). Or book online any time at www.leicestertigers.com/matchtickets.
Tigers launch the club’s ‘125 years at Welford Road’ commemorations with the free Tigers In The Park event with live entertainment and attractions from 11.00am up to kick-off on Sunday.
Leicester Tigers (v Bath Rugby, Welford Road, Sunday 3.00pm)
15 Telusa Veainu
14 Nick Malouf
13 Manu Tuilagi
12 Matt Toomua
11 Jonny May
10 George Ford
1 Ellis Genge
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Logovi’i Mulipola
4 Dom Barrow
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Dominic Ryan
7 Brendon O’Connor
8 Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Greg Bateman
18 Dan Cole
20 Luke Hamilton
21 Sam Harrison
22 Joe Ford
23 Mathew Tait
Bath Rugby
14 Semesa Rokoduguni
13 Jonathan Joseph
12 Max Clark
11 Matt Banahan
10 Rhys Priestland
9 Chris Cook
1 Beno Obano
2 Tom Dunn
3 Kane Palma-Newport
4 Luke Charteris
5 Elliott Stooke
6 Matt Garvey (c)
7 Francois Louw
8 Taulupe Faletau
Replacements
16 Jack Walker
17 Nick Auterac
18 Anthony Perenise
19 James Phillips
20 Paul Grant
21 Kahn Fotuali’i
23 Ben Tapuai
